Growing Gold on the VinesGrowing Gold on the Vines OROR

What you need to What you need to knowknow to become an expert to become an expert

on the best BARBERA’s in California!!Researched on the best BARBERA’s in California!!Researched and Compiled by: Dick Minnisand Compiled by: Dick Minnis

Seminar Outline Seminar Outline

History of BarberaHistory of Barbera Viticulture of BarberaViticulture of Barbera Shenandoah Valley’s TerroirShenandoah Valley’s Terroir Why that MattersWhy that Matters Barbera Wine StylesBarbera Wine Styles Food PairingsFood Pairings

Italian Barbera CountryItalian Barbera Country

HistoryHistory

Originated in Piedmont around Monferrato and was Originated in Piedmont around Monferrato and was well established by the 13well established by the 13thth Century Century

Earliest Historical reference around 663ADEarliest Historical reference around 663AD Third most widely planted Italian VarietalThird most widely planted Italian Varietal Believed to have grown spontaneously from seeds of Believed to have grown spontaneously from seeds of

local varieties….DNA evidence indicates it is local varieties….DNA evidence indicates it is genetically related to Mourvedregenetically related to Mourvedre

Il Barbera vs. La BarberaIl Barbera vs. La Barbera Forty Niner’s believed to have brought Barbera to Forty Niner’s believed to have brought Barbera to

Amador CountyAmador County

Barbera AcreageBarbera Acreage

Comparative Acreage in Comparative Acreage in 19821982 State – 1897 acresState – 1897 acres Sierra Foothills – 1 acre (Amador Co.)Sierra Foothills – 1 acre (Amador Co.)

Comparative Acreage in Comparative Acreage in 20072007 State – 7503 acresState – 7503 acres Sierra Foothills – 250 acres (Amador Co. 151)Sierra Foothills – 250 acres (Amador Co. 151)

Barbera AcreageBarbera Acreage

Plantings prior to 1982Plantings prior to 1982 State 1897 acresState 1897 acres Sierra Foothills 1 acres (Amador Co.)Sierra Foothills 1 acres (Amador Co.)

Barbera ViticultureBarbera Viticulture

Adaptable but thrives best in poor soilsAdaptable but thrives best in poor soils Needs pruning to check vigorous Needs pruning to check vigorous

growthgrowth Naturally acidic grapeNaturally acidic grape Likes warm days and cool nightsLikes warm days and cool nights Resistant to pests, disease, and mildewResistant to pests, disease, and mildew

The GrapeThe Grape

Medium size bunchesMedium size bunches Pyramid shapePyramid shape Deep blue oval medium sized berriesDeep blue oval medium sized berries Medium sized 5 lobed leaf w/tormentoseMedium sized 5 lobed leaf w/tormentose Often needs extensive hang time to soften Often needs extensive hang time to soften

acids and ripen tanninsacids and ripen tannins Usually picked from late Sept. to early Oct.Usually picked from late Sept. to early Oct. Recognized by violet red fall colorRecognized by violet red fall color

Barbera GrapesBarbera Grapes

Mediterranean ClimateMediterranean Climate

Shenandoah ValleyShenandoah Valley

Amador County Wine CountryAmador County Wine Country

Amador is a typical Mediterranean climateAmador is a typical Mediterranean climate TemperatureTemperature: generally moderate with a comparatively : generally moderate with a comparatively

small range between winter lows and summer highs. small range between winter lows and summer highs. PrecipitationPrecipitation: almost all measurable moisture occurs in : almost all measurable moisture occurs in

winter. winter. The Distance from the coast and elevation have a The Distance from the coast and elevation have a

significant impact on temperature extremes.significant impact on temperature extremes. The Delta Breeze and the mountains to the East The Delta Breeze and the mountains to the East

provide significant nighttime cooling. provide significant nighttime cooling.

Why a Mediterranean Climate MattersWhy a Mediterranean Climate Matters

Minimum Barbera RequirementsMinimum Barbera Requirements 1600 Hours of Sunshine per year…(200 sunny 8 1600 Hours of Sunshine per year…(200 sunny 8

hour days).hour days). Temperature greater than 50Temperature greater than 50o o F for at least 2500 F for at least 2500

hours per year…(104 days).hours per year…(104 days). an annual mean rainfall of at least 23 inches.an annual mean rainfall of at least 23 inches.

These are only general guidelines…for These are only general guidelines…for example; planting on a South facing slope can example; planting on a South facing slope can lower the sunshine requirement.lower the sunshine requirement.

Climate’s Effect on Grape PhysiologyClimate’s Effect on Grape Physiology

Photosynthesis Photosynthesis – sunlight stimulating chloroplasts to – sunlight stimulating chloroplasts to produce color and sugar….ceases at sunset regardless produce color and sugar….ceases at sunset regardless of temperature.of temperature.

Phenolic RipeningPhenolic Ripening – development of Varietal – development of Varietal specific flavors and tannins….. continues at night if specific flavors and tannins….. continues at night if temperature remains above 50temperature remains above 50oo F….but stops if F….but stops if temperature exceeds 100temperature exceeds 100oo F day or night. F day or night.

AcidityAcidity – Grapes perspire their acidity , – Grapes perspire their acidity , consequentially those grown in warmer climates consequentially those grown in warmer climates typically have lower acidity than those grown in typically have lower acidity than those grown in cooler climates unless the grape is naturally acidic. cooler climates unless the grape is naturally acidic.

Sierra Foothills 2,600,000 Sierra Foothills 2,600,000 Surface AcresSurface Acres

Elevation generally between Elevation generally between 1000-3000 feet. 1000-3000 feet.

6,163 acres of Vineyards or 1.3% 6,163 acres of Vineyards or 1.3% of the State’ 471,887 acres.of the State’ 471,887 acres.

Shallow Mountain soils stress Shallow Mountain soils stress the vines, giving moderate/low the vines, giving moderate/low yields of high quality grapes. yields of high quality grapes.

Mediterranean Climate Mediterranean Climate significantly influences the significantly influences the quality of Amador Grapes..quality of Amador Grapes..

Barbera ‘08Barbera ‘08

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% Barbera Acreage% Barbera Acreage

State – 7503 acresState – 7503 acres

Sierra AVA – 250 acresSierra AVA – 250 acres

or 3.3%or 3.3%

2008 State Fair Medals2008 State Fair Medals

Barbera Total – 27Barbera Total – 27

Barbera Sierra AVA – 22 Barbera Sierra AVA – 22

or 81.5%or 81.5%

Barbera ‘09Barbera ‘09

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Sierra AVA

Barbera AcreageBarbera Acreage

State – 7503 acresState – 7503 acres

Sierra AVA – 250 acresSierra AVA – 250 acres

or 3.3%or 3.3%

2008 State Fair Medals2008 State Fair Medals

Barbera Total – 37Barbera Total – 37

Barbera Sierra AVA – 25 Barbera Sierra AVA – 25

or 67.5%or 67.5%

Barbera Wine StylesBarbera Wine Styles

Amador Co. definitely produces La BarberaAmador Co. definitely produces La Barbera Reduced Yields give better balanced FruitReduced Yields give better balanced Fruit Young Wines have a Fruity Floral Nose Young Wines have a Fruity Floral Nose Accents of Red Fruits and Black Cherries Accents of Red Fruits and Black Cherries Lush Plum, Hints of Spice and Black Pepper Lush Plum, Hints of Spice and Black Pepper

are all possibleare all possible Young Wines have a Dark Ruby Color that will turn Young Wines have a Dark Ruby Color that will turn

Garnet then lighten with Brown EdgesGarnet then lighten with Brown Edges

More StyleMore Style

High in Anthocyanins and Natural AcidityHigh in Anthocyanins and Natural Acidity Low in Tannins Low in Tannins Barrel Aging adds Complexity and Stabilizes Barrel Aging adds Complexity and Stabilizes

ColorColor Peaks in 6-8 years from Vintage but well made Peaks in 6-8 years from Vintage but well made

Wines can easily last a Decade Wines can easily last a Decade Think Cab with Higher Acid and Lower Think Cab with Higher Acid and Lower

Tannins Tannins

Food PairingsFood Pairings

Absolutely Great Food Wine Absolutely Great Food Wine Serve cool - let it breathe (15-20) Serve cool - let it breathe (15-20) Acidity and Fruit go with nearly everythingAcidity and Fruit go with nearly everything Pasta, Tomato Sauces, Grilled Meat Dishes, Pasta, Tomato Sauces, Grilled Meat Dishes,

Barbecue Chicken, and Pizza to name a fewBarbecue Chicken, and Pizza to name a few Generally Generally notnot a match with most Seafood or a match with most Seafood or

salads with vinegar dressing…smoked Salmon salads with vinegar dressing…smoked Salmon being an exception.being an exception.

Thank You for ListeningThank You for Listening

Now,…lets see what Now,…lets see what you’ve learned as we you’ve learned as we work our way through a work our way through a vertical tasting of the vertical tasting of the 2002 through 2007 2002 through 2007 Bray Vineyard Barberas!Bray Vineyard Barberas!

Questions ???Questions ???